MUNICH (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Saturday that the moment is right for establishing an “armed forces of Europe,” arguing that Ukraine’s resistance against Russia has demonstrated that the groundwork for such a force is already laid.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that Europe should consider the possibility that “American might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” highlighting that many leaders have long expressed the need for an independent European military.
“I genuinely believe that the time has come,” Zelenskyy remarked at the Munich Security Conference. “The armed forces of Europe should be established.”
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Below is AP’s earlier report.
MUNICH (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly defended his position against the far-right on Saturday, asserting that his country will not tolerate those who “interfere in our democracy,” in response to U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s recent criticism of European leaders regarding their democratic practices.
During the Munich Security Conference, just eight days before pivotal elections in Germany, with surveys indicating that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party — whose co-leader met with Vance the day before — currently ranks second, ahead of Scholz’s Social Democrats.
While criticizing alleged U.S. interference in Germany’s democratic processes, Scholz expressed his “pleasure” at the shared commitment with the United States to “preserving the sovereign independence of Ukraine,” agreeing with U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine must come to an end.
However, in regard to domestic politics, Scholz referenced Germany’s Nazi history, stating that the enduring commitment to “Never Again” — preventing a return to the extreme right — is incompatible with supporting the AfD.
“We will not allow individuals from abroad to interfere in our democracy, elections, or the democratic opinion-making process in favor of this party,” he declared. “That is utterly unacceptable among friends and allies. We firmly reject this.”
“The direction our democracy takes is for us to determine,” Scholz added.
The previous day, Vance expressed concerns that free speech is “in retreat” throughout Europe.
He conveyed that many Americans perceive “entrenched interests using ugly Soviet-era terms like misinformation and disinformation, who simply oppose the idea that someone with an alternative viewpoint might express a differing opinion or, heaven forbid, vote differently, or even worse, win an election.”
Responding, Scholz remarked that “free speech in Europe means you do not attack others in ways that violate our nation’s laws and regulations,” referencing Germany’s bans on hate speech.
The exchanges occurred as European leaders grapple with a new, tough stance from Washington on democracy-related issues and Ukraine’s future, as the Trump administration continues to disrupt transatlantic norms established post-World War II.
Trump recently had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he indicated that the two leaders would likely meet soon to discuss a peace agreement to conclude the war that commenced with Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Trump ensured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he would also have a seat at the table.
Zelenskyy indicated on Friday that his nation seeks security assurances before entering into discussions with Russia. Prior to meeting with Vance in Munich, he asserted that he would only agree to an in-person meeting with Putin after a mutual plan is established with Trump.
Following a 40-minute discussion with Zelenskyy, Vance stated that the Trump administration is eager to see the war concluded.
Before this, Vance addressed European officials on topics such as free speech and illegal migration in Europe, cautioning that they risk losing public support if they do not swiftly alter their course.
“The threat that concerns me the most regarding Europe is not Russia. It’s not China. It’s not any other external player,” Vance commented during a speech that elicited a lukewarm reaction. “My greatest concern is the internal threat — the retreat of Europe from its fundamental values, which are shared with the United States.”
On the sidelines of the event, Vance met with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD.
Mainstream German parties maintain their refusal to collaborate with the far-right, a longstanding position to avoid associations with extreme right ideologies in a nation with a history of Nazism.
Vance later returned to Washington.
Other speakers scheduled to take the stage in Munich on Saturday included NATO chief Mark Rutte and foreign ministers from countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and from Syria’s new interim government.
